Where to Fit an Inverter

kirraweebob · Veteran Member

Where to Fit an Inverter

2foot6 · Veteran Member

Hi Bob,I can't help you with where to fit the inverter but it is important to keep the battery leads short and good ventilation for the inverter as they run warm to hot depending on the loads.I would suggest inside the van some where so the inverter gets dust free and dry air circulation.A weather proof box as you suggested would not give you ventilation.Hope this has been of some help....cheers Peter.

-- Edited by 2foot6 on Friday 30th of January 2015 11:50:18 AM

Treecrest14 · Senior Member

Gday Bob

Have recently heard of a friend having an explosion as their camper battery was located in the same box as their water pump. The box was blown apart when they turned on the water pump. I've been asking around if AGM or GEL batteries have the same problem as acid batteries - for explosive gas - but not been able to get a definitive answer. So in the meantime, I've put my AGM batteries into a separate box with bottom ventilation and kept the inverter separate- just in case.

oldtrack123 · Guru

Hi
With a 1000A current draw at peak output ,you will need massive cables,[to limit voltage drop] even if it is only a meter or so from the batterries

I assume you will have it hard wired into the 240V system, so you do have a fully functional RCD or RVD???
I see you also mention a generator ,have you considered specifying a RVD instead of a RCD so you have safe use of the generator from shocks to "earth"??

PeterQ

Plendo · Guru

Hi Bob, I am not sure if you will have a front boot or not, in our vase we have a front boot with a generator slide on the right side. We removed teh metal panel dividing this from the rest of the boot, and enclosed the generator space with a sealed alloy box, designed to keep any fuel vapour away from the electrics. The box is designed so we could mount the inverter on top of it.

This kept the inverter close to the batteries which I prefer to have outside the living space.

kirraweebob · Veteran Member

Thanks all for the thoughts. The inverter will supply only its own dedicated power points. Looking like the way to go will be mounted in the front tunnel boot as the batteries are to be on front of chassis and there is a separate generator hatch at the rear. Likely also to use a "bundle" of heavy gauge very short cables to get power from battery bank to inverter

oldtrack123 · Guru

Hi
Remember for safety sake,you should still have a RVD on the inverter circuit !!

PeterQ

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Ultra low voltage requires heavy cable so the closer to battery the better as 240v only requires 2.5mm wire..
To prevent voltage drop..

kirraweebob · Veteran Member

Hi Peter, RCD /RVD Can you advise what these are so I can ask the caravan manufacturer? Will speak to my caravan electrics guy in regards to these on the inverter circuits.

kirraweebob · Veteran Member

How good is Google? Have found RCD is what I know as Earth Leakage Detector. Old van has one so I will check on new van but expect it would. Will fit to inverter circuits as well.

oldtrack123 · Guru

kirraweebob wrote:
Hi Peter, RCD /RVD Can you advise what these are so I can ask the caravan manufacturer? Will speak to my caravan electrics guy in regards to these on the inverter circuits.

HI

THe RCD works ok when on mains supply ,but is useless with a generator or inverter plugged into the van inlet socket

The CORRECT RVD covers both situations & protects from shocks to "earth"

It appears you intend to have a seperate circuit for the inverter,you should be made aware that such inverters are only safe if you DO NOT connect more than ONE Class 1 device[have 3 pin plugs]

With more than ONE plugged in ,the risk of faults encreases that could result in electric shock or worse.

Even IF you wish to keep the INVERTER on it's own circuit/s

I would strongly suggest you have a RVD[not a RCD] fitted to THOSE circuits.

What it does is leave the initial protection of an isolated supply, but detects if that isolation is lost ANYWHERE in the inverter, wiring ,or connected devices

In that situation it will be a different model RVD than that used with the mains inlet socket

Best contact" Ian, by email "info@power-stream.com.au ". or "Safelec" & discuss with them

PeterQ

-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Saturday 31st of January 2015 12:33:22 PM

kirraweebob · Veteran Member

Thanks PeterQ. Have sent an email off to make sure RVD is on the caravan's circuits and will organise my guy to protect the inverter circuits. Thanks again.

kirraweebob · Veteran Member

The inverter I have ready to instal has 4 three pin outlets. Can you get an inline RVD to act like circuit breakers I have seen on tradies extension cords. I could then protect each circuit from the inverter. Obviously only run one at a time. Inverter is 5000W/10000W with max 2500 on any one outlet.

Crockie · Veteran Member

This is how we have our 2500W inverter.

1. There is no RCD or RVD in the circuit for the following reasons

The unit is ONLY used to power our low wattage electric blankets on very cold nights at free camp, in extreme situations I use it to charge my battery tools

There is no earth reference point in our bed, unless I've missed something

2. The unit has extra large cables via a isolation switch that switches both leads on pos and neg, it also acts as a circuit breaker in extreme current situations, the inverter has over current protection as well. These cables are as short as can be achieved

3. There is plenty of fresh air for cooling although the fan in the unit is hardly ever on

4. Because of the vibrations and movement during travel it is bolted and has lock nuts on the bolts

5. The power block is a no no but the elec blanket cables didn't reach, we have never had a mishap.

Pics.

-- Edited by Crockie on Sunday 1st of February 2015 12:08:33 PM

kirraweebob · Veteran Member

Yes Phil, very similar to the set up in the AVan we have sold, except the inverter had a remote on/off switch and we had our electrical guy run a permanent lead from it to an additional power point in the kitchen area. Nespresso machine on the go!!!!!

The new van has its batteries in boxes on the chassis so will either fit the inverter in the tunnel boot or above the batteries in the van somewhere as this one does not have a remote switch (unless I or my auto electrician can work out how to set one up for it)

Crockie · Veteran Member

The tunnel boot area sounds a better idea to me as the DC (battery side) leads need to be as short as can be. Also the boot would have reasonable ventilation. Be very careful not to bang or push heavy items into the inverter, will cause issues if the case gets bent. Take care and be safe.

oldtrack123 · Guru

kirraweebob wrote:
The inverter I have ready to instal has 4 three pin outlets. Can you get an inline RVD to act like circuit breakers I have seen on tradies extension cords. I could then protect each circuit from the inverter. Obviously only run one at a time. Inverter is 5000W/10000W with max 2500 on any one outlet.

Hi

The RCD as in the Clipsal, Jaycar & similar portable outlet boxes will not be functional when used by being plugged into an inverter

OR generator.

A RVD version is not available at this time & to have one on each outlet lead would be rather expensive

Subject to the inverter Makers approval[for warranty reasons]a RVD could be easily fitted to the INVERTER which would cover ALL it's outlets

Such work would need to be carried out by a competent licensed electrician.

Perhaps it may be worth you contacting" info @ powerstream.com.au" Ian, from there, may be able to put you on to someone in your area

who has experience with RVDs

-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Sunday 1st of February 2015 04:26:06 PM

kirraweebob · Veteran Member

For all who have commented so far -thank you. As a result of your comments and my subsequent email to Wanagaratta Caravans, the electrician who will fit out our new Kokoda Salute rang today. They will fit RVD to caravan standard circuits so that they will also be protected when the generator is used, and also fit my inverter and a separate RVD for that inverter. Huge 30mm short cables and fuse protection as well for the inverter and inverter circuits.

Without all your comments I may not have asked the appropriate questions about RVDs. Thanks too to the guys at Wangaratta Caravans for ensuring I got to speak with the electrician who will fit out our van.

Crockie · Veteran Member

Thats a great outcome for you kirraweebob, it shows how valuable a forum like this can be. By the way, welcome to this great forum.

cheers